Mudra is defined in traditional usage as a seal, gesture or symbol of the hands, body or face to expand the breath, consciousness, or energy systems of the user. There are hundreds of mudras from the spiritual traditions of India and Tibet. Many of these are mudras for the hands, but also include gestures of the eyes, face and body. Commonly used in the practice of yoga and meditation as a tool to channel higher energies into the body, mudras are very often paired with pranayama (breath work), asana (physical postures) and mantras (spoken word). Mudras are a remarkably useful way to activate and awaken our physical bodies for self-healing and self-awareness. They have the added bonus of awakening and balancing the deeper levels of ourselves called the energy body. This deeper level includes the energy system, which is made up of meridians and chakras. If you have practiced yoga or experienced acupuncture or acupressure, you probably are familiar with these terms. It is not necessary however, to be an expert in energy medicine or yoga philosophy to use mudras in your daily life and reap the benefits.